If you’re hunting for the ultimate festive treat this season, look no further than the Easter Millionaire’s Squares Recipe. This show-stopping dessert layers buttery shortbread with a luscious caramel filling and a silky chocolate topping, crowned with colorful mini chocolate eggs and pastel sugar candies. Each bite delivers a perfect harmony of crunch, chewiness, and smooth chocolate bliss that’s truly irresistible. Whether you’re bringing it to a family gathering or indulging at home, it’s guaranteed to be the centerpiece everyone raves about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Easter Millionaire’s Squares Recipe plays a starring role, keeping things simple yet creating a symphony of textures and flavors. From the buttery shortbread base that offers a tender crunch, to the rich caramel that adds sticky sweetness, and the silky chocolate that wraps it all up, each component is essential.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy structure for the shortbread base, ensuring it holds up to the luscious toppings.
- Butter: Adds richness and tenderness to both shortbread and caramel layers; be sure to soften for easy creaming.
- Sugar: Sweetens the shortbread and helps create that crumbly texture.
- Brown Sugar: Brings deep, molasses-like notes and chewiness to the caramel layer.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: The secret to gooey, creamy caramel that’s absolutely dreamy.
- Chocolate (Semi-Sweet): Melts to form a smooth topping that contrasts perfectly with the caramel’s richness.
- Heavy Cream: Adds silkiness to the melted chocolate, making it glossy and luscious.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, aromatic touch.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies the depth of every layer.
- Mini Chocolate Eggs: Fun, festive decorations that add color and crunch on top.
- Pastel Sugar Candies: Sprinkle for that charming Easter vibe and a little extra sweetness.
How to Make Easter Millionaire’s Squares Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing your baking pan—grease it well and line the bottom with parchment paper. This simple prep prevents sticking and helps your shortbread base lift out easily in perfect squares.
Step 2: Make the Shortbread
Cream the softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy, which adds air for a delicate bite. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt until a coarse, crumbly dough forms. This combination will bake into a tender, slightly crisp shortbread that stands up beautifully to the caramel topping.
Step 3: Bake the Shortbread Layer
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan using your fingers or the back of a spoon. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden—this subtle browning enhances the buttery flavor. After baking, allow your shortbread to cool fully to room temperature, so the caramel won’t melt it later.
Step 4: Craft the Caramel Filling
In a saucepan, gently heat the brown sugar, butter, and sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and turns a rich caramel color. Pour this luscious caramel evenly over the cooled shortbread base and spread it out with a spatula. Patience here is key—the caramel needs a little time to set up perfectly at room temperature.
Step 5: Prepare the Chocolate Topping
Melt the semi-sweet chocolate gently with the heavy cream and vanilla extract, stirring until everything is melted together and silky smooth. This ganache-like topping will seal in the caramel’s gooey richness and add a decadent finish. Carefully spread the chocolate over the not-quite-set caramel layer to create an even chocolate blanket.
Step 6: Add Festive Decorations
Now for the fun part—while the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle mini chocolate eggs and pastel sugar candies over the top. These sweet little touches bring that classic Easter joy and make every square feel like a holiday celebration. Once decorated, pop the pan into the fridge to chill completely and let everything firm up.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
After your squares have fully chilled and set, use a sharp knife to cut them into neat squares. Each piece should showcase the distinct layers of buttery shortbread, sticky caramel, and silky chocolate that define this Easter Millionaire’s Squares Recipe. Serve and enjoy the waves of flavor and texture with every bite.
How to Serve Easter Millionaire’s Squares Recipe
Garnishes
Besides the pastel candies and mini chocolate eggs, you can elevate presentation by dusting with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar or adding a few edible flowers for a whimsical touch. A small drizzle of white chocolate can also add a pretty contrast and extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs wonderfully with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the richness. For a more indulgent experience, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream, turning your Easter Millionaire’s Squares into an elegant, celebratory dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the squares on a rustic wooden board or a festive pastel-colored platter to highlight the Easter theme. Arrange the squares in neat rows or a circular pattern, and scatter extra mini eggs or spring flowers around the edges for visual appeal. You could even wrap individual squares in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon for a pretty edible gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover Easter Millionaire’s Squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate them for up to a week to keep the chocolate firm and the caramel fresh. Just make sure the container seals tightly so the squares don’t absorb any fridge odors.
Freezing
These squares freeze beautifully! Simply cut them into portions and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw in the fridge before serving to preserve the perfect texture and flavor combination.
Reheating
Because this dessert is best enjoyed chilled, reheating is not recommended. If you prefer a slightly softer texture, let the squares sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before enjoying rather than applying heat.
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate for the topping?
Absolutely! While semi-sweet chocolate offers a great balance of sweetness and richness, you can use milk chocolate for a sweeter finish or dark chocolate for more intense cocoa flavor. Just adjust the cream slightly if needed to keep it smooth.
Do I need to line the pan with parchment paper?
It’s highly recommended to line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the entire slab once the squares are set. This makes cutting and serving much simpler and keeps the squares intact.
Is there a way to make the caramel layer less sticky?
The caramel texture is meant to be soft and chewy, but you can chill it a bit longer to firm it up. Just keep in mind that part of the charm of millionaire’s squares is their gooey caramel, so don’t over-chill or it might become too hard.
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can swap in a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free. The texture might be slightly different, but it should still deliver a delicious shortbread base.
What’s the best way to cut these squares without cracking the chocolate?
Use a sharp knife and warm the blade by dipping it in hot water and drying it before each cut. This helps slice through the chocolate layer cleanly and keeps your edges neat and smooth.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the rich layers of the Easter Millionaire’s Squares Recipe to make your holiday dessert table shine. It’s a sweet celebration of textures and flavors that everyone will love, and the colorful decorations add an extra touch of springtime joy. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become your go-to treat for every Easter and beyond!
Print
Easter Millionaire’s Squares Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling and chilling time)
- Yield: 16 squares
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Easter Millionaire’s Squares are a delightful layered treat featuring a buttery shortbread base, a rich homemade caramel layer, and a silky chocolate topping, adorned with festive mini chocolate eggs and pastel sugar candies. Perfect for celebrating Easter with a decadent yet simple dessert that combines textures and flavors everyone will love.
Ingredients
Shortbread Base
- 1½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Butter, softened
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Caramel Layer
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Butter
- 1 can (14 oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk
Chocolate Topping
- 8 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- 2 tablespoons Heavy Cream
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Decoration
- Mini Chocolate Eggs
- Pastel Sugar Candies
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking pan and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
- Make Shortbread Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until the dough is crumbly but holds together when pressed.
- Bake Shortbread Base: Evenly press the shortbread dough into the prepared pan to form a uniform layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the edges and top are lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Prepare Caramel Layer: In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, and sweetened condensed milk. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a smooth, rich caramel.
- Layer Caramel on Shortbread: Pour the warm caramel evenly over the cooled shortbread base and spread it out smoothly. Allow the caramel to set at room temperature until slightly firm to the touch.
- Make Chocolate Topping: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate with heavy cream and vanilla extract either in a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently until fully melted and smooth. Spread this chocolate mixture evenly over the caramel layer.
- Decorate and Chill: Immediately decorate the chocolate topping with mini chocolate eggs and pastel sugar candies for a festive touch. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill until the chocolate is fully set and firm.
- Serve: Once chilled, cut the treats into squares and serve chilled for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to avoid the shortbread sticking to the pan and to make cutting easier.
- Ensure the shortbread is completely cooled before adding the caramel to prevent melting the layers.
- Stir the caramel constantly to prevent burning and achieve a smooth texture.
- Decorate the chocolate layer immediately after spreading to ensure candies stick properly.
- Store the squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
